10 answers
Raymond
Student
Aurora, Colorado
1
Question
Updated
868 views
How would i be successful as human resource manager?
would it be easy to be a human resource manager and how could i make sure I'm able to do my job the right way?
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10 answers
Kimberly Lee
Human Resources
1
Answer
Fair Oaks, California
Updated
Kimberly’s Answer
Dear aspiring HR manager,
Congratulations on considering a career in human resources! As someone who has dedicated her professional career in this field, I'm thrilled to share insights that can help you succeed. Let's dive in:
1. Embrace Continuous Learning:
- HR is dynamic and multifaceted. Stay curious and committed to learning.
- Attend workshops, conferences, and webinars. Read industry publications and stay updated on legal changes.
2. Master the Basics:
- Understand HR fundamentals: recruitment, benefits administration, employee relations, and compliance.
- Familiarize yourself with labor laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations.
3. Develop Soft Skills:
- Communication: HR professionals interact with diverse stakeholders. Be an active listener and articulate communicator.
- Empathy: Understand employees' needs and concerns. Show compassion.
- Conflict Resolution: Mediate disputes effectively.
4. Build Relationships:
- Collaborate with colleagues across departments. HR touches every aspect of an organization.
- Cultivate trust with employees. Be approachable and confidential.
5. Stay Ethical and Fair:
- Uphold integrity. HR deals with sensitive information—maintain confidentiality.
- Treat everyone equitably. Fairness builds credibility.
6. Adapt to Change:
- HR faces evolving workforce dynamics, technology, and organizational shifts.
- Be agile and open-minded. Embrace change as an opportunity.
7. Data-Driven Decision-Making:
- Use analytics to inform HR strategies. Measure turnover rates, engagement scores, and diversity metrics.
- Data guides effective talent management.
8. Know Your Organization Inside Out:
- Understand its culture, mission, and goals.
- Align HR initiatives with organizational objectives.
9. Network and Mentor:
- Connect with other HR professionals. Join associations like SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) or Hacking HR (they are a great organization and offer TONS of learning... not to mention I am a faculty member for them.
- Seek mentors who can guide your growth.
10. Self-Care Matters:
- HR can be emotionally demanding. Balance empathy with self-care.
- Know when to recharge and seek support.
Now, about whether it's easy: HR isn't easy, but it's incredibly rewarding. The challenges—employee conflicts, policy changes, organizational shifts—keep you engaged. To excel, remember:
- Learn from Mistakes: You'll encounter complex situations. Learn, adapt, and improve.
- Advocate for Employees: Be their voice. Champion their well-being.
- Stay Resilient: HR can be intense. Bounce back and stay positive.
Lastly, there's no one "right" way to do HR. Each organization is unique. Trust your instincts, learn from experience, and be the compassionate, strategic HR leader you aspire to be.
Wishing you a fulfilling journey in HR!
Warm regards,
Kim Lee, sphr
Congratulations on considering a career in human resources! As someone who has dedicated her professional career in this field, I'm thrilled to share insights that can help you succeed. Let's dive in:
1. Embrace Continuous Learning:
- HR is dynamic and multifaceted. Stay curious and committed to learning.
- Attend workshops, conferences, and webinars. Read industry publications and stay updated on legal changes.
2. Master the Basics:
- Understand HR fundamentals: recruitment, benefits administration, employee relations, and compliance.
- Familiarize yourself with labor laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations.
3. Develop Soft Skills:
- Communication: HR professionals interact with diverse stakeholders. Be an active listener and articulate communicator.
- Empathy: Understand employees' needs and concerns. Show compassion.
- Conflict Resolution: Mediate disputes effectively.
4. Build Relationships:
- Collaborate with colleagues across departments. HR touches every aspect of an organization.
- Cultivate trust with employees. Be approachable and confidential.
5. Stay Ethical and Fair:
- Uphold integrity. HR deals with sensitive information—maintain confidentiality.
- Treat everyone equitably. Fairness builds credibility.
6. Adapt to Change:
- HR faces evolving workforce dynamics, technology, and organizational shifts.
- Be agile and open-minded. Embrace change as an opportunity.
7. Data-Driven Decision-Making:
- Use analytics to inform HR strategies. Measure turnover rates, engagement scores, and diversity metrics.
- Data guides effective talent management.
8. Know Your Organization Inside Out:
- Understand its culture, mission, and goals.
- Align HR initiatives with organizational objectives.
9. Network and Mentor:
- Connect with other HR professionals. Join associations like SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) or Hacking HR (they are a great organization and offer TONS of learning... not to mention I am a faculty member for them.
- Seek mentors who can guide your growth.
10. Self-Care Matters:
- HR can be emotionally demanding. Balance empathy with self-care.
- Know when to recharge and seek support.
Now, about whether it's easy: HR isn't easy, but it's incredibly rewarding. The challenges—employee conflicts, policy changes, organizational shifts—keep you engaged. To excel, remember:
- Learn from Mistakes: You'll encounter complex situations. Learn, adapt, and improve.
- Advocate for Employees: Be their voice. Champion their well-being.
- Stay Resilient: HR can be intense. Bounce back and stay positive.
Lastly, there's no one "right" way to do HR. Each organization is unique. Trust your instincts, learn from experience, and be the compassionate, strategic HR leader you aspire to be.
Wishing you a fulfilling journey in HR!
Warm regards,
Kim Lee, sphr
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3835
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Raymond,
Mastering the Role of a Human Resource Manager
To truly master the role of a human resource manager, a blend of certain skills, knowledge, and qualities are indispensable. Here are some key elements that can propel your success in this role:
Education and Certification: Consider acquiring a degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field to equip yourself with the necessary foundational knowledge. Further, certifications like Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) can bolster your standing and expertise in the field.
Strong Communication Skills: As a human resource manager, frequent interaction with employees, management, and external stakeholders is a given. Robust communication skills, both verbal and written, are vital for clear information transmission, conflict resolution, and fostering positive relationships within the organization.
Knowledge of Employment Laws and Regulations: A crucial role of human resource managers is ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations. A deep understanding of employment laws like Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations is crucial for effective HR operations.
Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving Skills: Addressing employee conflicts, grievances, and challenging situations is a key part of an HR manager’s role. Cultivating strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills can aid in addressing issues swiftly and maintaining a harmonious work environment.
Strategic Thinking and Planning: HR managers play a significant role in strategic decision-making processes that affect the organization’s overall performance. The ability to think strategically, align HR initiatives with business objectives, and plan for long-term organizational success are critical for excelling in this role.
Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage emotions, both your own and others’, is key in HR management. Enhancing emotional intelligence can help you handle sensitive situations with empathy, build trust with employees, and promote a positive workplace culture.
Continuous Learning and Professional Development: The human resources field is continually evolving due to changes in technology, workforce demographics, and regulatory requirements. Keeping abreast of industry trends, participating in professional development workshops or conferences, and seeking continuous learning opportunities can help you stay ahead in your HR career.
Maximizing Success as a Human Resource Manager
To maximize your effectiveness as a human resource manager, consider the following strategies:
Foster Strong Relationships: Building positive relationships with employees, managers, and other stakeholders can earn you trust and credibility within the organization. Actively listen to concerns, provide support when needed, and exhibit integrity in your interactions.
Stay Organized and Prioritize Tasks: HR managers often multitask. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and significance, keep organized records of employee information and HR processes, and utilize tools like HR software to simplify administrative tasks.
Embrace Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Seek feedback from employees, peers, and supervisors to pinpoint areas for improvement in your HR practices. Welcome constructive criticism as a growth opportunity and pursue continuous improvement in your skills and performance.
Uphold Ethics and Confidentiality: Maintain ethical standards in all HR decisions and actions, ensuring fairness, transparency, and confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information. Adherence to ethical guidelines can boost your credibility as an HR professional.
Stay Updated on Industry Trends: Keep yourself informed on emerging trends in human resources through industry publications, online resources, or networking with other HR professionals. Understanding industry best practices can help you proactively adapt to changes.
Incorporating these strategies into your role as a human resource manager can enhance your effectiveness and boost your success in managing human capital within an organization.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): As one of the largest professional associations dedicated to human resource management globally, SHRM provides valuable resources, research insights, certifications, and networking opportunities for HR professionals.
U.S. Department of Labor - Employment Law Guide: The U.S. Department of Labor offers comprehensive information on federal employment laws through its Employment Law Guide, serving as a reliable source for understanding legal requirements related to labor standards.
Harvard Business Review - Human Resources Section: The Harvard Business Review publishes articles on various business topics, including human resources management. Its HR section offers expert insights, case studies, and best practices for HR professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge.
These sources were utilized to ensure accuracy and reliability in providing guidance on mastering the role of a human resource manager.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
Mastering the Role of a Human Resource Manager
To truly master the role of a human resource manager, a blend of certain skills, knowledge, and qualities are indispensable. Here are some key elements that can propel your success in this role:
Education and Certification: Consider acquiring a degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field to equip yourself with the necessary foundational knowledge. Further, certifications like Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) can bolster your standing and expertise in the field.
Strong Communication Skills: As a human resource manager, frequent interaction with employees, management, and external stakeholders is a given. Robust communication skills, both verbal and written, are vital for clear information transmission, conflict resolution, and fostering positive relationships within the organization.
Knowledge of Employment Laws and Regulations: A crucial role of human resource managers is ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations. A deep understanding of employment laws like Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations is crucial for effective HR operations.
Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving Skills: Addressing employee conflicts, grievances, and challenging situations is a key part of an HR manager’s role. Cultivating strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills can aid in addressing issues swiftly and maintaining a harmonious work environment.
Strategic Thinking and Planning: HR managers play a significant role in strategic decision-making processes that affect the organization’s overall performance. The ability to think strategically, align HR initiatives with business objectives, and plan for long-term organizational success are critical for excelling in this role.
Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage emotions, both your own and others’, is key in HR management. Enhancing emotional intelligence can help you handle sensitive situations with empathy, build trust with employees, and promote a positive workplace culture.
Continuous Learning and Professional Development: The human resources field is continually evolving due to changes in technology, workforce demographics, and regulatory requirements. Keeping abreast of industry trends, participating in professional development workshops or conferences, and seeking continuous learning opportunities can help you stay ahead in your HR career.
Maximizing Success as a Human Resource Manager
To maximize your effectiveness as a human resource manager, consider the following strategies:
Foster Strong Relationships: Building positive relationships with employees, managers, and other stakeholders can earn you trust and credibility within the organization. Actively listen to concerns, provide support when needed, and exhibit integrity in your interactions.
Stay Organized and Prioritize Tasks: HR managers often multitask. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and significance, keep organized records of employee information and HR processes, and utilize tools like HR software to simplify administrative tasks.
Embrace Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Seek feedback from employees, peers, and supervisors to pinpoint areas for improvement in your HR practices. Welcome constructive criticism as a growth opportunity and pursue continuous improvement in your skills and performance.
Uphold Ethics and Confidentiality: Maintain ethical standards in all HR decisions and actions, ensuring fairness, transparency, and confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information. Adherence to ethical guidelines can boost your credibility as an HR professional.
Stay Updated on Industry Trends: Keep yourself informed on emerging trends in human resources through industry publications, online resources, or networking with other HR professionals. Understanding industry best practices can help you proactively adapt to changes.
Incorporating these strategies into your role as a human resource manager can enhance your effectiveness and boost your success in managing human capital within an organization.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): As one of the largest professional associations dedicated to human resource management globally, SHRM provides valuable resources, research insights, certifications, and networking opportunities for HR professionals.
U.S. Department of Labor - Employment Law Guide: The U.S. Department of Labor offers comprehensive information on federal employment laws through its Employment Law Guide, serving as a reliable source for understanding legal requirements related to labor standards.
Harvard Business Review - Human Resources Section: The Harvard Business Review publishes articles on various business topics, including human resources management. Its HR section offers expert insights, case studies, and best practices for HR professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge.
These sources were utilized to ensure accuracy and reliability in providing guidance on mastering the role of a human resource manager.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
Michael Whittaker
Heavy equipment operator
2
Answers
Shelbyville, Indiana
Updated
Michael’s Answer
No matter what career you choose aways remember people make mistakes and have the ability to learn from someone else's mistakes
Scholarstica Ubani
Sales Customer Support Specialist
3
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Scholarstica’s Answer
Steps to Become a Great Human Resources Manager
To help you build a remarkable career in human resources management, I will break down three capabilities into actionable steps. These steps will give you a solid foundation to become a human resources manager and excel in your role.
Let’s dive in:
Part 1: Mastering the Five HR Functions
Because HR managers take care of employees’ demands during their entire lifecycle, the field involves various responsibilities.
The knowledge necessary to administrate tasks involved in recruiting is different from the knowledge required in business management or workplace safety.
Good HR managers excel at all of these functions. Let’s go over the steps to get there:
1. Learn All About Staffing
HR manager’s job varies a lot from company to company, but staffing will always be one of your primary responsibilities in the role.
Staffing responsibilities involve recruiting, screening, and hiring to fill a job opening.
HR Manager Career PathWith effective staffing operations, you will build a strong workforce that will add to the company’s bottom line.
Many professionals start their careers with an entry-level position in a staffing agency, an excellent way to excel in the abilities necessary for this human resources management function.
Being an HR manager at a company you love to work for will make it natural for you to “sell” the open positions to candidates. This will help you to thrive in the role.
2. Invest in Training and Development Knowledge
Hiring top talent won’t take the company anywhere if you don’t know how to oversee training programs.
Some professionals neglect this area of HR. However, the best HR managers see employee development and performance management as a priority. Remember that when you have a limited budget and choices to make.
As an HR manager, you must create many learning opportunities for the staff. This includes taking them to conferences, organizing seminars, planning mentorship programs, and even developing a comprehensive new hire onboarding.
One of the best ways to keep your training and development knowledge current is keeping up to date with learning technologies and techniques that facilitate training.
If you’re interested in getting training, check out our HR Certification Courses for HR managers. All courses have a certification exam and will get you all the human resource manager qualifications you need.
Want to become a HR Manager
3. Obtain Compensation and Benefits Knowledge
Managing compensation and benefits doesn’t mean pressing the payroll button every two weeks. Although you don’t have to be a certified employment benefits specialist, salaries and benefits include bureaucracy and understanding how to use employee onboarding software.
Human resources managers are responsible for setting up pay and benefits packages, managing insurance brokers and other employee benefits vendors, coordinating bonuses, and even administrating stock options.
Journey to become an HR managerAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), obtaining a compensation and benefits certification is one of the best ways to learn the processes and to confer credibility to employers. The International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans offers several excellent courses, which is a great option.
4. Study Labor Laws and Legal Compliance
Several laws and regulations protect employees. These regulations cover hiring processes, compensation, employee safety procedures, performance appraisals, and labor relations.
Legal and labor management is one of the biggest challenges in human resource managers’ jobs. Unlike entry-level positions like human resources assistant, a human resources manager has a significant responsibility. Meaning that it is crucial to invest time in mastering regulations. After all, one missed point can result in a massive lawsuit.
I recommend subscribing to receive legislative updates from the Department of Labor or the SHRM. If you manage employees across different states or even countries, having an employment law attorney on a contract is also a good idea.
5. Learn What Employee and Environment Safety Entails
Many HR managers work on risk management and workplace safety procedures.
This means you must understand employers’ health and safety responsibilities and know the best practices in managing risk. Although a professional HR specialist or an HR generalist might do the same things, human resource managers have more significant responsibilities.
Keep in mind that the responsibilities involved in safety change a lot from industry to industry.
Human resources managers who work in a building construction company, for example, might have to take multiple actions to prevent employees’ injury on the worksite. On the other hand, HR managers who work in the technology industry, for example, involve less intense responsibilities in this area.
This means that the policies and training procedures you must implement depend on the company and industrial relations. You can start learning about emergency procedures for the workplace or even learning safety training methods and techniques that you can put in place.
Part 2: Mastering Interpersonal Skills
Once you feel like an expert in every area of human resources, there is still some polishing before you become a great HR manager.
Mastering these skills is a crucial step to getting there. This includes competencies that facilitate interaction and communication with employees.
These are the actions you need to take to develop good communication skills:
1. Learn How to Engage in Difficult Conversations
As a human resources manager, you will have to handle challenging conversations daily.
Laying off an employee you know needs the job, hearing an employee’s complaint about workplace sexual harassment, or reinforcing the workplace dress code are all conversations you might have to conduct.
The worst thing you can do is avoid or put off these uncomfortable conversations. So you have to learn to manage them in the best possible way.
Best practices include:
Creating a safe space for conversation.
Focusing on the specific behavior in review.
Holding emotions away.
2. Master Conflict Resolution Skills
Conflict within an organization is healthy up to a certain level. You want employees to disagree with each other sometimes. That’s what makes the company evolve.
The problem arises when the conflict interferes with employees’ morale, mental health, and work performance. That’s when you, as an HR manager, must step in.
To address the issue, you must keep clarity and consistency on policies and recognize that even though each case is different, you must have standards.
Problem-solving involves a lot of listening. When you identify the sources of the conflict, which usually are unequal treatment, poor management, unclear job roles, or lack of training, you can take a proactive approach to avoid future disputes.
3. Develop Empathy
Developing empathy means boosting your chances of succeeding as a human resources professional.
Empathy will help you develop positive employee relations, foster diversity and inclusion, encourage collaboration, and even facilitate conflict management.
resolving employee conflictPutting yourself in employees’ shoes is not easy, but it comes with practice. Learn to ask better questions, listen carefully, practice emotional detachment, and offer support when needed.
Another way to develop empathy is by observing your behaviors and examining your biases. Understanding yourself better will help you to read your employees with more accuracy.
4. Learn to Be an Active Listener
You won’t be able to unwind employees’ concerns and offer the necessary support if you don’t fully understand the circumstances. The only way to get a complete perspective of employees’ situations is by actively listening to them.
That seems simple to put into practice, but when you have tons of resumes, training sessions to develop, and payroll to process, listening to employees becomes easy to neglect.
When an employee approaches you, remember that intentionally listening is part of your management position responsibility. Dedicate time to the conversation and respond appropriately.
Engaging in conversations with employees might save you some stressful situations in the future.
Part 3: Mastering Strategic Capabilities
As you might have realized, the human resources manager’s job can be chaotic. To be successful, you must learn how to think and act strategically.
These are the abilities you need to leverage to master strategic capabilities:
1. Pursue Project Management Knowledge
HR managers’ job success relies on team collaboration and long-term planning. For this reason, project management processes are essential to make every area of HR flow.
For example, you will need to organize a timeline, coordinate a budget, and manage resources when developing an employee development program. Same for when you need to structure the hiring process for an open position.
Project management knowledge helps you to handle HR duties with a systematic mindset, which contributes to more effective results.
Some project management courses and certifications are designed specifically for human resources professionals. Everyone who holds a manager position or has administrative responsibilities in the HR department should consider taking these courses. Streamlining strategic planning creates the perfect scenario for successful outcomes.
2. Prioritize the Values
When managing human resources responsibilities, you must make many difficult decisions. Which candidate to choose for a position, whether or not to take a conflict case to upper management, how to structure employees’ compensation, who to include in training programs — these are all questions you will need to answer.
Decision-making can drain your energy if you don’t have a solid foundation on which to base your judgments.
I learned that there is nothing stronger to support your decisions than values. This includes your integrity and the company’s core values.
Referring back to the basics will always help you understand the best alternative when things are unclear.
3. Learn to Be Data-Driven
If you thought that by choosing to follow a career in human resources, you would be away from data and statistics, HR analytics would prove you wrong.
To become an excellent human resources manager, you must understand how to use analytics to answer critical questions about your organization.
people analytics use casesYou can leverage data for internal and external decisions. Some of the most common data sources you should use for internal decisions include employee demographic data, payroll data, social network data, performance data, and employee satisfaction data. You use external data to streamline recruiting processes. External data sources that could help you include labor market data, population data, and LinkedIn data.
4. Leverage the Right Technologies
As employees continue to expect a more meaningful approach to their employment experience, HR professionals must leverage new HR technologies to deliver enriching experiences in the workplace.
You can automate iterative tasks such as tax compliance through HR software. You should be familiar with a few software examples: GoCo, Gusto, and Zenefits. Besides coordinating payroll, these tools optimize new hire employee forms, onboarding, and employee benefits management.
That leaves you with extra time to focus on other vital HR functions.
Suppose you want to explore HR technology further. In that case, you can leverage artificial intelligence to identify workforce patterns, virtual reality resources to streamline training, augmented analytics to get more accurate insights or even self-service tools to improve employees’ experience. The possibilities are endless.
Using these technology resources will make your job easier and increase its accuracy and efficiency.
Conclusion
The road to becoming a great HR manager is not easy. But it is a gratifying career.
The curiosity to pursue a specialization separates the average HR professional from the experts. That can be through courses, mentorship, and conferences. Of course, the years of experience also help.
You might have learned a lot about HR functions if you completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human resource management or business management. But unfortunately, that’s not enough to make you a distinguished professional in HR management.
To become a great human resources manager, you must go the extra mile. But all you need to do today is to take the first step. Pick one step in this guide and pursue it.
Knowledge is incremental. The more you learn today, the easier it will be to learn tomorrow. This means that with each step you take, it will be easier to conquer the other ones.
Identify your strengths in the human resources field, and work on making them your competitive advantage.
Follow these actionable steps, and you will be set in the right direction to manage every area in the human resources department and grow as an HR expert.
To help you build a remarkable career in human resources management, I will break down three capabilities into actionable steps. These steps will give you a solid foundation to become a human resources manager and excel in your role.
Let’s dive in:
Part 1: Mastering the Five HR Functions
Because HR managers take care of employees’ demands during their entire lifecycle, the field involves various responsibilities.
The knowledge necessary to administrate tasks involved in recruiting is different from the knowledge required in business management or workplace safety.
Good HR managers excel at all of these functions. Let’s go over the steps to get there:
1. Learn All About Staffing
HR manager’s job varies a lot from company to company, but staffing will always be one of your primary responsibilities in the role.
Staffing responsibilities involve recruiting, screening, and hiring to fill a job opening.
HR Manager Career PathWith effective staffing operations, you will build a strong workforce that will add to the company’s bottom line.
Many professionals start their careers with an entry-level position in a staffing agency, an excellent way to excel in the abilities necessary for this human resources management function.
Being an HR manager at a company you love to work for will make it natural for you to “sell” the open positions to candidates. This will help you to thrive in the role.
2. Invest in Training and Development Knowledge
Hiring top talent won’t take the company anywhere if you don’t know how to oversee training programs.
Some professionals neglect this area of HR. However, the best HR managers see employee development and performance management as a priority. Remember that when you have a limited budget and choices to make.
As an HR manager, you must create many learning opportunities for the staff. This includes taking them to conferences, organizing seminars, planning mentorship programs, and even developing a comprehensive new hire onboarding.
One of the best ways to keep your training and development knowledge current is keeping up to date with learning technologies and techniques that facilitate training.
If you’re interested in getting training, check out our HR Certification Courses for HR managers. All courses have a certification exam and will get you all the human resource manager qualifications you need.
Want to become a HR Manager
3. Obtain Compensation and Benefits Knowledge
Managing compensation and benefits doesn’t mean pressing the payroll button every two weeks. Although you don’t have to be a certified employment benefits specialist, salaries and benefits include bureaucracy and understanding how to use employee onboarding software.
Human resources managers are responsible for setting up pay and benefits packages, managing insurance brokers and other employee benefits vendors, coordinating bonuses, and even administrating stock options.
Journey to become an HR managerAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), obtaining a compensation and benefits certification is one of the best ways to learn the processes and to confer credibility to employers. The International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans offers several excellent courses, which is a great option.
4. Study Labor Laws and Legal Compliance
Several laws and regulations protect employees. These regulations cover hiring processes, compensation, employee safety procedures, performance appraisals, and labor relations.
Legal and labor management is one of the biggest challenges in human resource managers’ jobs. Unlike entry-level positions like human resources assistant, a human resources manager has a significant responsibility. Meaning that it is crucial to invest time in mastering regulations. After all, one missed point can result in a massive lawsuit.
I recommend subscribing to receive legislative updates from the Department of Labor or the SHRM. If you manage employees across different states or even countries, having an employment law attorney on a contract is also a good idea.
5. Learn What Employee and Environment Safety Entails
Many HR managers work on risk management and workplace safety procedures.
This means you must understand employers’ health and safety responsibilities and know the best practices in managing risk. Although a professional HR specialist or an HR generalist might do the same things, human resource managers have more significant responsibilities.
Keep in mind that the responsibilities involved in safety change a lot from industry to industry.
Human resources managers who work in a building construction company, for example, might have to take multiple actions to prevent employees’ injury on the worksite. On the other hand, HR managers who work in the technology industry, for example, involve less intense responsibilities in this area.
This means that the policies and training procedures you must implement depend on the company and industrial relations. You can start learning about emergency procedures for the workplace or even learning safety training methods and techniques that you can put in place.
Part 2: Mastering Interpersonal Skills
Once you feel like an expert in every area of human resources, there is still some polishing before you become a great HR manager.
Mastering these skills is a crucial step to getting there. This includes competencies that facilitate interaction and communication with employees.
These are the actions you need to take to develop good communication skills:
1. Learn How to Engage in Difficult Conversations
As a human resources manager, you will have to handle challenging conversations daily.
Laying off an employee you know needs the job, hearing an employee’s complaint about workplace sexual harassment, or reinforcing the workplace dress code are all conversations you might have to conduct.
The worst thing you can do is avoid or put off these uncomfortable conversations. So you have to learn to manage them in the best possible way.
Best practices include:
Creating a safe space for conversation.
Focusing on the specific behavior in review.
Holding emotions away.
2. Master Conflict Resolution Skills
Conflict within an organization is healthy up to a certain level. You want employees to disagree with each other sometimes. That’s what makes the company evolve.
The problem arises when the conflict interferes with employees’ morale, mental health, and work performance. That’s when you, as an HR manager, must step in.
To address the issue, you must keep clarity and consistency on policies and recognize that even though each case is different, you must have standards.
Problem-solving involves a lot of listening. When you identify the sources of the conflict, which usually are unequal treatment, poor management, unclear job roles, or lack of training, you can take a proactive approach to avoid future disputes.
3. Develop Empathy
Developing empathy means boosting your chances of succeeding as a human resources professional.
Empathy will help you develop positive employee relations, foster diversity and inclusion, encourage collaboration, and even facilitate conflict management.
resolving employee conflictPutting yourself in employees’ shoes is not easy, but it comes with practice. Learn to ask better questions, listen carefully, practice emotional detachment, and offer support when needed.
Another way to develop empathy is by observing your behaviors and examining your biases. Understanding yourself better will help you to read your employees with more accuracy.
4. Learn to Be an Active Listener
You won’t be able to unwind employees’ concerns and offer the necessary support if you don’t fully understand the circumstances. The only way to get a complete perspective of employees’ situations is by actively listening to them.
That seems simple to put into practice, but when you have tons of resumes, training sessions to develop, and payroll to process, listening to employees becomes easy to neglect.
When an employee approaches you, remember that intentionally listening is part of your management position responsibility. Dedicate time to the conversation and respond appropriately.
Engaging in conversations with employees might save you some stressful situations in the future.
Part 3: Mastering Strategic Capabilities
As you might have realized, the human resources manager’s job can be chaotic. To be successful, you must learn how to think and act strategically.
These are the abilities you need to leverage to master strategic capabilities:
1. Pursue Project Management Knowledge
HR managers’ job success relies on team collaboration and long-term planning. For this reason, project management processes are essential to make every area of HR flow.
For example, you will need to organize a timeline, coordinate a budget, and manage resources when developing an employee development program. Same for when you need to structure the hiring process for an open position.
Project management knowledge helps you to handle HR duties with a systematic mindset, which contributes to more effective results.
Some project management courses and certifications are designed specifically for human resources professionals. Everyone who holds a manager position or has administrative responsibilities in the HR department should consider taking these courses. Streamlining strategic planning creates the perfect scenario for successful outcomes.
2. Prioritize the Values
When managing human resources responsibilities, you must make many difficult decisions. Which candidate to choose for a position, whether or not to take a conflict case to upper management, how to structure employees’ compensation, who to include in training programs — these are all questions you will need to answer.
Decision-making can drain your energy if you don’t have a solid foundation on which to base your judgments.
I learned that there is nothing stronger to support your decisions than values. This includes your integrity and the company’s core values.
Referring back to the basics will always help you understand the best alternative when things are unclear.
3. Learn to Be Data-Driven
If you thought that by choosing to follow a career in human resources, you would be away from data and statistics, HR analytics would prove you wrong.
To become an excellent human resources manager, you must understand how to use analytics to answer critical questions about your organization.
people analytics use casesYou can leverage data for internal and external decisions. Some of the most common data sources you should use for internal decisions include employee demographic data, payroll data, social network data, performance data, and employee satisfaction data. You use external data to streamline recruiting processes. External data sources that could help you include labor market data, population data, and LinkedIn data.
4. Leverage the Right Technologies
As employees continue to expect a more meaningful approach to their employment experience, HR professionals must leverage new HR technologies to deliver enriching experiences in the workplace.
You can automate iterative tasks such as tax compliance through HR software. You should be familiar with a few software examples: GoCo, Gusto, and Zenefits. Besides coordinating payroll, these tools optimize new hire employee forms, onboarding, and employee benefits management.
That leaves you with extra time to focus on other vital HR functions.
Suppose you want to explore HR technology further. In that case, you can leverage artificial intelligence to identify workforce patterns, virtual reality resources to streamline training, augmented analytics to get more accurate insights or even self-service tools to improve employees’ experience. The possibilities are endless.
Using these technology resources will make your job easier and increase its accuracy and efficiency.
Conclusion
The road to becoming a great HR manager is not easy. But it is a gratifying career.
The curiosity to pursue a specialization separates the average HR professional from the experts. That can be through courses, mentorship, and conferences. Of course, the years of experience also help.
You might have learned a lot about HR functions if you completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human resource management or business management. But unfortunately, that’s not enough to make you a distinguished professional in HR management.
To become a great human resources manager, you must go the extra mile. But all you need to do today is to take the first step. Pick one step in this guide and pursue it.
Knowledge is incremental. The more you learn today, the easier it will be to learn tomorrow. This means that with each step you take, it will be easier to conquer the other ones.
Identify your strengths in the human resources field, and work on making them your competitive advantage.
Follow these actionable steps, and you will be set in the right direction to manage every area in the human resources department and grow as an HR expert.
K G
Human Resources
3
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
K’s Answer
In the exciting world of Human Resources, it's key to strike a balance between business needs and the human touch. Sometimes, you'll find business goals taking the lead, and at other times, it's all about the people. There's no one-size-fits-all strategy here!
If you're someone who thrives in an ever-changing environment and loves the thrill of new challenges, then HR is just the right field for you. Remember, every day is a new adventure as each person is unique and no two days at work are the same. So, if you enjoy working with a diverse range of people, then buckle up and welcome to the dynamic world of HR! :)
If you're someone who thrives in an ever-changing environment and loves the thrill of new challenges, then HR is just the right field for you. Remember, every day is a new adventure as each person is unique and no two days at work are the same. So, if you enjoy working with a diverse range of people, then buckle up and welcome to the dynamic world of HR! :)
K G
Human Resources
3
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
K’s Answer
Working harmoniously with a diverse range of personalities is crucial, and being patient with these differences can be rewarding. It's equally important to maintain a non-judgmental approach, balancing business objectives with people's emotions.
Gaining experience as you navigate through various levels is invaluable. Every minor task you undertake will impart a lesson about HR, even if it appears to be merely administrative.
Each day presents a unique set of scenarios, demanding adaptability and agility. Embracing change is key in this dynamic environment.
In conclusion, I find it immensely fulfilling.
Gaining experience as you navigate through various levels is invaluable. Every minor task you undertake will impart a lesson about HR, even if it appears to be merely administrative.
Each day presents a unique set of scenarios, demanding adaptability and agility. Embracing change is key in this dynamic environment.
In conclusion, I find it immensely fulfilling.
Phuti Seopa
Human Resources
1
Answer
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Updated
Phuti’s Answer
Hello!
Here's a valuable tip for you: Always stay in the learning mode!
In simpler terms, this means you should consistently follow the latest HR trends, not just in your local area, but globally. Laws and regulations often undergo changes, so it's crucial that you stay updated on these changes.
Make it a habit to read HR-related books to continuously enrich your knowledge.
Wishing you the very best!
Here's a valuable tip for you: Always stay in the learning mode!
In simpler terms, this means you should consistently follow the latest HR trends, not just in your local area, but globally. Laws and regulations often undergo changes, so it's crucial that you stay updated on these changes.
Make it a habit to read HR-related books to continuously enrich your knowledge.
Wishing you the very best!
Michael Bell
Human Resources Business Partner
3
Answers
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Michael’s Answer
One of the fantastic aspects of being a Human Resources manager is its versatility, accommodating a wide range of skills.
The key element, I believe, is having a genuine interest in people and understanding what drives them. It's crucial that people are at the core of your decision-making process.
Possessing a Human Resources qualification can significantly boost your capabilities. Pursuing a career in a large organization can provide you with exposure to various HR disciplines. This will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of how you can contribute to a business or organization's success by effectively leveraging the talents of its workforce.
Choosing a career in HR is indeed a rewarding decision!
The key element, I believe, is having a genuine interest in people and understanding what drives them. It's crucial that people are at the core of your decision-making process.
Possessing a Human Resources qualification can significantly boost your capabilities. Pursuing a career in a large organization can provide you with exposure to various HR disciplines. This will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of how you can contribute to a business or organization's success by effectively leveraging the talents of its workforce.
Choosing a career in HR is indeed a rewarding decision!
Sonia Tshabalala
Human Resources
1
Answer
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Updated
Sonia’s Answer
Recommend degree or diploma in Human Resources Management. Gaining experience as Human Resources Generalist to gain Indepth knowledge and experience. Continue studies in leadership management to gain leadership skills.
TJ Xia
OSA Fellow, Verizon Master Inventor, Author of Books
21
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
TJ’s Answer
Do some extra homework. Even though software these days can easily help you to screen and select the right candidates to fill job positions, if you can create some new materials which specifically fit your company's need and situation, such as a table of traits with which the people your HR hope to hire, a historic list showing the results of past hiring strategies, so your VP can see which strategy is succssesful, which is not, etc. Basiclly, using a little bit of research skills to your job, it is hard to not be an excellent HR manager.